A'S NOTEBOOK / Menechino unfazed

Published 4:00 am, Friday, May 24, 2002

Frank Menechino said Thursday he will report to Triple-A Sacramento today in Oklahoma City, and the A's onetime starting second baseman said he wasn't all that surprised to be sent down.

"When you're hitting .210, you can't be too shocked," he said. "They told me to go down, get my swing back and my confidence back. I'll have some fun, have a little less pressure. . . . Things change every day; I'll just see what happens."

Though he wasn't floored by his own demotion, Menechino was stunned that his friend and housemate, Jeremy Giambi, was traded Wednesday.

"I have no idea what they're doing," he said. "It seems like they're (rebuilding), but I don't know for sure what Billy (Beane) wants to do other than give different guys a chance to play."

First baseman Carlos Pena already has reported to the River Cats and in two games (through Wednesday) he is 0-for-6 as a DH.

LIDLE THROWS:Pitcher Cory Lidle, who was placed on the disabled list last week with a shoulder strain, threw in the bullpen prior to the game. "I threw everything 100 percent and I felt 100 percent," Lidle said.

He said he would make a rehab start for Sacramento Sunday in Oklahoma City. "If all goes well I will join club in Baltimore and start Friday (in Tampa Bay)," Lidle said.

MISCELLANY: The A's have lost seven straight series for the first time since 1994. . . . John Mabry, obtained in the Jeremy Giambi trade, was scheduled to arrive in Oakland last night and will join the team today, necessitating another roster move. . . . The A's have listed Saturday's starting pitcher as undecided, meaning that Aaron Harang, currently at Sacramento, will be the likely starter.